How To Effectively Use Dr. Petress’
Class Notes
1. Class notes are posted on my academic web page for your use. Feel
free to down-load and print these notes. The notes are made both for the
professor’s and students’ use.
2. It would be wise if you brought your text and the class notes
to class daily [except on exam dates]. Many students have found it useful
to add their own notations based on class discussions on the reverse sides
of the class notes thereby keeping both forms together for later examination
review.
3. Class notes serve several concentric purposes, among these are:
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The class notes serve to prioritize, prior to class discus-sion, material
presented in the text [notes for readings and films serve the same purpose].
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The class notes serve to form an agenda for class discussion; although
neither the content nor the sequence is so rigid as to disallow change
or additions.
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The class notes serve to clarify text items that the professor believes
might be vague or inadequately explained.
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The class notes serve to amplify content when it is believed helpful
by the professor to do so.
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The class notes serve to exemplify select terminology and concepts when
it is believed that the absence of clear examples might lead to student
confusion.
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The class notes serve to specify [through bold indicators] terminology
that students are expected to become facile with.
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The class notes serve to show [through indentation subordi-nation] the
relative hierarchy of content in the course
4. Class notes serve as a useful and dependable examination review instrument.
A. For objective test items, the notes are the major [not the sole]
source for test questions -- other sources include class discussions, readings,
films, etc.
B. For essay questions, the notes serve as a repository of field
dependent terminology that the professor expects each student to employ
in essay question responses.
5. Class notes serve as a common agenda guide for student group study
sessions which are highly recommended by the professor. See the essay Benefits
of Group Study in the essay list on Dr. Petress’ web site for an explanation
of the benefits of group study.
6. Students should also refer to another essay: How To Study For
a Test found on the web site essay list. There are many herlpful suggestions
that may mprove your study habits and may result in higher examination
grades.
7. There are 25 other essays relevant to student activities, beliefs,
and values most students would benefit from. The introductory page of the
essay menu on my web site includes an annotated bibli- ography of the 27
included articles.
You are invited to read and/or copy these articles. These may be
shared with other classmates.